You're right that it's no slouch, and the IQ is better than the Nikon version, but from what I've read it's average IQ at best when comparing across the board - that's the step back I'm referring too.

As I think more about the canon version, I think what's most important is that it's not as practical as the Nikon version.(Nikon version is 50% lighter and quite a bit shorter) I would think most would use a 28-300 generally for travel, vacation, or as a walk around, but the Canon version is too big/heavy to be used for these purposes.

I have the Nikon 28-300 on my D7000 - it's perfect for it's intended use....travel, walk around, vacation, or when you want to cover your bases without a bunch of gear/weight. I've been interested in something similar from Canon, but they don't have a comparable zoom that can be used as a travel/walk around at a reasonable cost like the nikon 28-300.....so on my 5d3 I use the 24-105.

Due to the size/weight, I think Canon missed the mark from a product strategy standpoint with their 28-300 version...IMO

I bought a D800, keeping my Canon lenses for a while, I bought a 24-70 f2.8G, a 80-200mm f/2.8D, and a older 200-400mm f/4 AIS. I also already had a 50mm f/1.8D and several lesser lenses.Thats when I discovered that Nikon lens quality was not up to the D800 resolution. The 24-70 had way too much CA, the 80-200mm was just OK.But, when I went to look for a replacement for my 24-105mmL, my 135mmL, my 70-200mm f/4L, my 100-400mmL, there was nothing worth buying, even at the higher prices.I was disappointed, a nice body that was excellent at low ISO's (800 was marginal), but the lens selection was poor. I also discovered there were no sraw settings for when I wanted smaller files sizes, I could crop, but I can crop in post.I sold it after about 1200 images and bought a used 5D MK II while waiting to see how the D1 X turned out. If it weren't for the lens situation, I would have kept it.

5DIII instead of an 800E? Thats nuts. The Nikon sensor is a generation or two ahead of the Canon.

Why take a step back?

Probably Mr elbeasto thinks that lenses are more important than bodies.

Agree.D800 was so attractive to me. However, I gave up because of my Canon lenses. If I sell my gears, I will loss 1000+ right a way. Moreover, I don't know if Nikon has a lens close to my favorite Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 L MK2.Lucky for me. I just ordered 5D3 for 2800. Cannot be happier.

5DIII instead of an 800E? Thats nuts. The Nikon sensor is a generation or two ahead of the Canon.

Why take a step back?

Probably Mr elbeasto thinks that lenses are more important than bodies.

Agree.D800 was so attractive to me. However, I gave up because of my Canon lenses. If I sell my gears, I will loss 1000+ right a way. Moreover, I don't know if Nikon has a lens close to my favorite Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 L MK2.Lucky for me. I just ordered 5D3 for 2800. Cannot be happier.

I sold my Nikon D700 to partially fund the 5D MK III (but I also had 7D and several Canon lenses so it wasn't a "major" swap) ... the main reason I went the 5D3 way is because of 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II & 100-400 L IS plus the all-round performance of 5D MK III, especially the superior high ISO capabilities.

I have the Nikon 28-300 on my D7000 - it's perfect for it's intended use....travel, walk around, vacation, or when you want to cover your bases without a bunch of gear/weight. I've been interested in something similar from Canon, but they don't have a comparable zoom that can be used as a travel/walk around at a reasonable cost like the nikon 28-300.....so on my 5d3 I use the 24-105.

Due to the size/weight, I think Canon missed the mark from a product strategy standpoint with their 28-300 version...IMO

Different markets being targetted IMHO, the Canon seems to be aiming more at the pro user who wants to limate lens changes rather than the travel zoom market.

M.ST

I shoot a castle with the 1Ds Mark III, the Nikon D800E and the Hasselblad with the same settings at ISO 100 from an tripod.

If I compare the 1Ds Mark III images with the Nikon D800E image I realize, that the pictures out of the 1Ds Mark III are pretty sharp and had a perfect color. The Nikon D800E images looks a little bit unsharp and the colors don´t came up to my expectations.

With a 21/22 megapixel camera you can make prints in the range DIN A2 and you can crop in. The pixels on the D800E sensor are very small. If you have small pixel, then you have normally more noise, less light sensivity and a poorer image quality. Same you get if you put 24 megapixels on an APS-C sensor.

No other FF camera nearly can reach the image quality of the old 1Ds Mark III in the range ISO 50 to ISO 800 until today.

Compared to the Hasselblad the images of the Nikon D800E looks totally unsharp. But you can´t compare a 60 megapixel medium format camera with a 36 megapixel FF camera.